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The Setlist: Where to hear live music Jan. 15-17, 2026

KAXE | By Malachy Koons
Published January 14, 2026 at 11:54 AM CST
"The Setlist" and "Aitkin, Grand Rapids, Park Rapids" written over a crumpled paper background.
Maria Hileman
/
KAXE
Live music taking place Jan. 15-17, 2026 in Northern Minnesota.

KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Rich Mattson & Germaine Gemberling, Charlie Parr with Water Cat, Charley Wagner, and Corey Medina & Brothers.

Another year of live music in Northern Minnesota on the way! Please send in any info you have on venues and shows to music@kaxe.org.

We can only share your events if we know about them!

First up, Rich Mattson & Germaine Gemberling are playing a duo show at Sampaguita in Aitkin, Thursday at 6 p.m. The husband and wife duo are getting ready to release another Rich Mattson & The Northstars album next month. Their duo shows are largely acoustic affairs digging into their deep catalog of songs.

We’re sticking in Aitkin for Charlie Parr at the Ripple Center, Friday at 6 p.m. The beloved folk-blues artist sold out the venue the last time he visited and will be sure to draw a large crowd again. His most recent release was a novel called Five last year. Opening the show are Duluth-based Water Cat, who blend French pop and folk.

A man on stage playing guitar and singing into a microphone. There is a metal statue of an owl behind him.
Minnesota Music
MN musician Charlie Parr brings his storytelling to the page in 'Five'
Kari Hedlund
In a conversation about his new book of short stories, Parr explained writing stories actually came before songwriting — and for him, the two have always been the same process.

Also Friday, Americana and folk singer-songwriter Charley Wagner is playing at Rapids Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids at 7 p.m. Wagner released the Finding Home album last year with an accompanying multimedia booklet, and after this show, has a book tour throughout Northern Minnesota. He also leads the band Forge North.

Finally, Corey Medina & Brothers are playing the Armory Arts & Events Center in Park Rapids on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Medina-led electric blues quartet is rounded out by Gary Broste on bass, Brock Beaulieu on second guitar and Eric Sundeen on drums.

Thursday, Jan. 15

  • Rich Mattson & Germaine Gemberling - 6 p.m., Sampaguita, Aitkin, $10

Friday, Jan. 16

  • Charlie Parr, Water Cat - 6 p.m., Ripple Center, Aitkin, $31.60
  • Charley Wagner - 7 p.m., Rapids Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, free

Saturday, Jan. 17

  • Corey Medina & Brothers - 7 p.m., Armory Arts & Events Center, Park Rapids, $15.38
Conversation
Events Up North Jan. 12-18: Bingo at Buck Lake, Lecture Series at Forest History Center
Events this week include a games and puzzle swap in Pine River and the Second Annual Cardboard Classic sledding event in Deer River.

The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
Tags
Minnesota Music The SetlistMade Possible by the Minnesota Arts & Culture Heritage FundKAXEAitkinGrand RapidsPark Rapids
Malachy Koons
Malachy joined Northern Community Radio in 2022, where he helps curate the sound of KAXE and gets to share his passion for local music as Producer of Minnesota Mixtape, an all Minnesota music show airing Fridays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. You can also find him hosting Headwaters every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. and 10 p.m., and curating our weekly live music feature The Setlist.
See stories by Malachy Koons
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